If you’re looking to replace your home’s windows, you’ll likely come across Champion Windows during your search. Champion is a popular window replacement brand known for its customization options, energy efficiency, and lifetime warranty. What makes Champion stand out is that it’s a full-service window company, meaning Champion handles everything from design and manufacturing to installation, so you don’t have to juggle coordinating multiple contractors.
Unique to Champion is its exclusive Comfort 365® Glass, which the company claims helps improve climate control and reduce your energy costs. We wanted to see if this technology lives up to the hype when it comes to temperature regulation. Keep reading to see the results from our hands-on testing of a sample window and to learn more about Champion Windows.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Holds multiple industry certifications and awards
- Offers generous discounts online
- Provides a 0% financing option
Cons
- Doesn’t offer single-hung window varieties
- Has mixed customer reviews and a “Not Rated” rating on BBB
- Only sells vinyl window frames
Window Styles Offered
Champion Windows provides a wide range of window styles, which make it a good choice for homes of any style. Here is the full list of window options Champion offers:
- Sliding
- Awning
- Basement hopper
- Bay
- Bow
- Casement
- Double-hung
- Garden
- Glass Block
- Picture
- Shaped
Our Take on Champion Windows
Champion Windows offers replacement windows, doors, screen doors, sunrooms, and vinyl siding. Champion is best known for its vinyl windows—most of its currently available windows have a vinyl frame. Champion provides windows in more than 30 states and has been in business for more than fifty years.
What sets Champion Windows apart from competitors is that, unlike other window manufacturers that outsource installation, Champion handles all phases of your window replacement project from design through installation. This means you’ll get consistent service throughout your entire project—no surprises or communication gaps from different contractors. While some window companies use third-party manufacturers (that are often based overseas), Champion makes all of its windows in the United States.
Types of Windows Champion Offers
Champion Windows offers several styles of windows, as well as enclosures and doors. Here’s a list of common window types, enclosures, and doors offered by Champion Windows:
- Bay windows
- Basement hopper windows
- Bow windows
- Casement windows
- Double-hung windows
- Garden windows
- Glass block windows
- Picture windows
- Shaped windows
- Sliding windows
- All-season sunrooms
- Three-season sunrooms
- Patio covers and enclosures
- Screen rooms
- Entry doors
- Patio doors
- Screen doors
- Storm doors
You can view a complete list of products on Champion’s website or by visiting a showroom near you. We visited a showroom in Durham, North Carolina, and saw most of these window types in person.
Cost of Champion Windows
We’ll be honest—replacing windows is not a cheap project. The cost of windows depends on the material, style, size, and quantity of windows needed for your home. For this reason, Champion does not provide online pricing, but you can schedule an appointment to get a free in-home estimate before committing to a project.
Our team surveyed 1,000 homeowners who recently replaced their windows. We found that window replacement costs for vinyl windows, a popular material, cost an average of $558 per window. This is not Champion’s exact pricing, but the averages can help you understand how much to budget for your project based on the number of windows you need replaced.
| Number of Windows | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 window | $558 |
| 5–6 windows | $3,045 |
| 8–10 windows | $4,982 |
| 13–15 windows | $7,750 |
| 18–20 windows | $10,518 |
| 23–25 windows | $13,000 |
Of the 1,000 homeowners we surveyed, 58 chose Champion Windows for their replacement window project. They paid an average of $660 per window, about $100 higher than the average of $558 for vinyl windows.
Warranty and Customer Service
If you’re going to spend thousands of dollars on windows, we recommend looking at the warranty details to understand if damage is covered. Champion offers a limited lifetime warranty on its windows, which covers the frame, sash, glass seal, and moving parts. What makes Champion’s warranty stand out is that it includes both parts and labor, so you won’t face unexpected costs for repairs. The warranty covers accidental glass breakage, which some competitors don’t include.
It’s worth noting, per the company website, that the warranty “applies to qualifying products as long as the original purchaser owns the home.” This suggests coverage may not extend to subsequent owners.
As for customer service, Champion provides full-service that begins with your initial consultation. A sales representative will visit your home, take measurements, and walk you through window options. Once you’ve made your choice, Champion’s in-house team handles everything—from manufacturing your custom windows to scheduling and completing the installation. After installation, you can reach Champion through its customer service hotline. Champion will send a technician to assess any issues before quoting repairs or replacement.
Champion Compared to Other Window Brands
We evaluated Champion compared to 14 other window replacement brands to recommend the best window replacement companies. Here’s how Champion compares to other brands on key points:
| Feature | Champion | Renewal by Andersen | Pella |
|---|---|---|---|
| Window material | Wood, vinyl, fiberglass | Fibrex® composite | Wood, vinyl, fiberglass |
| Average cost per window* | $660 | $612 | $577 |
| Average cost of a window replacement project* | $5,772 | $7,111 | $7,932 |
| Installation | In-house installation | In-house installation | Third-party installers |
| Warranty | Lifetime (limited) | 20 years (glass) | Lifetime; varies by product |
| Customization | Moderate (about 21 options) | Extensive (49+ options) | Strong (around 30 options) |
| Impact-resistant options | Limited availability | Yes (HVHZ certified) | Yes (varies by model) |
How We Tested Champion Windows
According to our annual consumer survey, 42% of homeowners replace windows to improve energy efficiency or reduce energy costs. So, we decided to test how a Champion Window held its temperature in extreme conditions.
Our editors were intrigued by Champion’s Comfort 365® Glass, which the company says blocks 93% of harmful UV rays from the sun. This technology is designed to keep heat inside during the winter and prevent heat from coming inside during the summer.
We wanted to see for ourselves if Comfort 365® glass made a difference, so we designed a simple test at our editorial offices in North Carolina. The Champion Windows branch in Durham was kind enough to let us borrow a window for the day.
Keep in mind: While this test helped illustrate how windows handle climate control, there are several other factors that contribute to how windows help a home maintain its temperature (e.g., material, seal, sun exposure). We recommend scheduling an in-home consultation with a window company to choose the best replacement windows for your home.
Tools We Used
- A double-hung window with Comfort 365® glass, provided by Champion Windows
- Infrared thermometer gun
- Ceramic heat lamp with a 100W heat spot
The Testing Process
We started by reading the temperature of both a Champion window and an interior window at our editorial office in Raleigh, North Carolina. Both window temperatures measured approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit, according to our infrared thermometer gun.
Next, we plugged in a ceramic heat lamp with a 100W heat spot and let it warm up for five minutes. We used the same infrared thermometer gun to read the heat lamp’s temperature. The temperature rose to more than 300 degrees Fahrenheit in just five minutes.
Finally, we placed the ceramic heat lamp behind the Champion window. We waited five minutes, allowing the window time to absorb the heat before reading the temperature. We repeated the same process on an interior window in our office.
What We Learned
After five minutes in front of the heat lamp, the Champion window temperature stayed near 70 degrees Fahrenheit, while the office window heated to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. In other words, the Champion Window maintained a stable temperature compared to the office window. This test helped demonstrate the climate-controlling properties of Champion Windows that could lead to better energy efficiency in your home.
What Customers Said About Champion Windows
When shopping for replacement windows, it’s helpful to get recommendations from friends or family or read online reviews. Past customers can offer key insights that our hands-on testing can’t—what it’s really like to live in a home with Champion windows for all four seasons.
We analyzed reviews submitted in the past three years for Champion Windows on its Better Business Bureau (BBB) listings. Below, we’ve provided a synthesis of more than 380 reviews summarizing key themes on what customers liked and didn’t like about working with Champion Windows.
Keep in mind that it’s more likely for customers who have had a negative experience to submit a review to the BBB. We recommend reviewing online reviews from multiple sources when researching window replacement companies.
Positive Customer Feedback
- Professional and helpful sales representatives—mentioned in 8% of reviews:
Customers praised sales staff for being friendly, informative, and not pushy.
“We will be using Champion for years to come because of [our sales rep] and his exceptional service – I would recommend Champion to anyone who will listen!” —BBB reviewer
- Quality installation work and crew—mentioned in 5% of reviews:
Installers were described as professional, efficient, and respectful.
“…the installers did a fabulous job with the installation and the clean-up.” —BBB reviewer
- Competitive pricing and value—mentioned in 5% of reviews:
Some customers felt they received good value, especially during promotions.
“Bid for 7 windows was within the price range we expected to pay.” —BBB reviewer
Common Customer Complaints
- Communication—mentioned in 60% of reviews:
The most frequent complaints were delayed follow-up and long silences after contracts were signed.
“I have submitted tickets and have called and never heard back from Champion Windows. …they talk a game but don’t deliver on time or…customer service.” —BBB reviewer
- Installation problems—mentioned in 45% of reviews:
Some customers reported improperly sized windows and damaged or malfunctioning products, possibly due to installation errors.
“They are holding water, not level, and hard to open. I am currently waiting (2 months later) to get the problems fixed.” —BBB reviewer
- Warranty issues—mentioned in 36% of reviews:
Although Champion provides a warranty, some customers found it difficult to get fast responses to claims.
“I’ve submitted multiple warranty requests, and no one has responded. They just stop talking to you after installation.” —BBB reviewer
FAQs About Champion Windows
Does Champion Window make its own windows?
Yes, unlike some window installers that outsource their product manufacturing, Champion produces its own windows to ensure their quality.
How long will it take to install Champion Windows?
According to Champion Windows, most installations are completed in a single day. Installations can vary due to the complexity of the project, the number of windows, and other external factors.
Does Champion Windows offer vinyl windows?
Yes, Champion offers an exclusive line of vinyl replacement windows with energy-efficient options and a limited lifetime warranty.
Does Champion Windows offer warranty coverage?
Yes, Champion Windows includes a limited lifetime warranty for its window products. This coverage includes repairs, labor, and materials. Check the warranty section of the company’s website for exact details on the full warranty protection.
Summing It Up: Is Champion Windows Right for You?
After testing, we feel more confident recommending Champion Windows to homeowners looking for energy-efficient windows to help control the temperature in their homes. Specifically, we feel comfortable recommending Champion to homeowners in warm climates, since those are the conditions in which we tested. We also like that Champion windows are manufactured in the U.S. and that the company provides full service from design through installation. It’s worth evaluating Champion when choosing your replacement windows.
